Comfort Line (nearest) leads home his rivals under Jack Kearney© Photo Healy Racing
Defying top-weight, Comfort Line registered a seventh career success in the first divide of the irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap.
The Adrian McGuinness-trained seven-year-old had been knocking on the door of late, finishing fifth, fourth and second on his last three starts.
Drifting from 7/2 to a starting price of 9/2, the Dooley Thoroughbreds-owned grey raced in mid-division on the outer under Jack Kearney, improving to take closer order from early in the straight.
Pushed along to lead from the furlong pole, the 65-rated victor soon increased his advantage and came home two and a half lengths to the good.
Well-supported from 7/1 into 4/1 joint-favouritism, Finsceal Annie filled the runner-up spot under Darragh O'Sullivan, while Hope And Innocence (8/1) was half a length away in third.
The winner of this race 12-months ago, Feature This was the other joint-favourite and he finished a disappointing 10th.
"I'm delighted with that but it was a bit of a cock-up between myself and Adam (Caffrey) as we put this fella away for tonight and then we realised he couldn't ride in the race (confined to riders who have not ridden more than 10 winners this season)," McGuinness revealed.
"Fair play to Jack, he gave him a lovely ride. He got 4lb the last day and I thought it might have stopped him.
"In this grade he loves it and he's a great fun horse. He might even go back to claimers and if someone wants him they can claim him. The lads have had great fun with him.
"I just feel for Adam as it really should have been his winner. We didn't read the small print.
"In all fairness to the three lads (Adam Caffrey, James Ryan and Wayne Hassett) it's a real battle and they've worked hard all year. Best of luck to whoever wins it, it's all in James' favour at the minute."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident shortly after the start involving Nawraq ridden by P. McGettigan, placed fifth, Draiocht ridden by M.P. Sheehy, placed fourth, Hastily (GB), ridden by Nicola Burns, placed sixth and Jalo ridden by C.D. Maxwell, unplaced, where it appeared heels were clipped. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. P. McGettigan stated that his mount clipped a heel as C.D. Maxwell's mount came across him. M.P. Sheehy stated that he received pressure from the outside when the horse on his outside clipped a heel. Nicola Burns stated that her mount ran keen and the horse in front of her dropped back onto her. C.D. Maxwell stated that there was only room for one horse on his inside and he was clear of the horse that clipped his heel. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards did not apportion blame to any rider and took no further action. P. McGettigan and Nicola Burns were accompanied at this enquiry by Brendan Madden.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
